Renfe will upgrade the connectivity of 183 high-speed and long-distance trains through a platform that will combine 4G, 5G networks, and low-earth orbit satellites. The project, valued at €85.4 million including investment and operation, aims to address interruptions and inconsistent speeds still experienced by many travelers, as well as connect the train’s technical systems via an internal network of up to 10 Gbps.
The key points of the new AVE connectivity in 30 seconds
- Renfe will invest €49.7 million and allocate another €35.7 million for service operations.
- External connectivity will combine LTE, 5G, and LEO satellites to reduce coverage gaps.
- The internal network will reach 10 Gbps, although this won’t be the speed available to individual passengers.
- The deployment will cover 183 trains over five years.
- Tunnels, congestion, and each corridor’s coverage will continue to influence outcomes.
This upgrade represents a significant evolution of PlayRenfe. The current platform mainly provided WiFi and entertainment, while the new system will also carry data for video surveillance, passenger information, remote diagnostics, energy consumption, and maintenance.
The technical goal is to move away from relying on a single communication channel. Instead of depending solely on mobile coverage along the tracks, trains will use multiple links and select the most appropriate one for each segment. Satellite connectivity will serve as a backup in rural areas or corridors with limited terrestrial coverage, although it won’t solve disconnections inside tunnels or places without a sky view.
Why does WiFi on high-speed trains work irregularly
The WiFi icon on your phone or computer simply indicates connection to the onboard access point. It doesn’t guarantee a stable internet connection at that moment.
The onboard router must communicate with external mobile antennas. At speeds close to 300 km/h, the connection continually shifts between cell towers. These handovers can cause brief disconnections, increase network signaling, and reduce available performance.
Research on railway communications considers extreme mobility as a major challenge. Radio channels change rapidly, and failures during cell handovers can interrupt the connection—even when coverage exists along the corridor.
Rural zones further complicate matters. Mobile operator networks are primarily designed to cover populated areas, roads, and high-density locations. A railway line may traverse areas with few antennas or stations oriented toward other directions for dozens of kilometers.
The train’s structure itself worsens reception. The metallic body and treated glass reduce external signal strength, so a phone inside a carriage gets weaker results than an antenna mounted on the roof. Studies on railway communications mention significant penetration loss and even suggest integrating surfaces into windows to facilitate signal passage.
| Current Issue | Impact on Travelers | Renfe’s Expected Response |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid changes between mobile antennas | Disconnections and reconnections during the journey | Management of multiple LTE and 5G links |
| Irregular rural coverage | Segments with low speeds or no internet | Addition of LEO satellites |
| Metallic carriage | Attenuation of mobile signals | External antennas and internal distribution |
| Many passengers connected | Bandwidth shared among hundreds of devices | Increased capacity and centralized management |
| Separate networks inside the train | Inefficiency and management difficulties | Unified infrastructure of up to 10 Gbps |
| Tunnels and covered areas | Loss of mobile and satellite links | Will continue to depend on specific coverage along the route |
Crowd density adds another limitation. Hundreds of passengers might share the same external links while streaming videos, participating in video calls, downloading files, or using VPNs. The available capacity is divided among all these users and the train’s technical systems.
This explains why the new contract includes prioritization. When external connectivity is insufficient, the platform will prioritize operational communications over entertainment. Diagnostics transmissions, alerts, or passenger information systems may take precedence over movies or downloads.
How Renfe will combine mobile networks and LEO satellites
The new architecture will utilize as many available technologies as possible. LTE 4G will provide the broadest coverage; 5G will offer more capacity where deployed; LTE-M will serve mainly devices, sensors, and telemetry, and LEO satellites will reinforce communication when terrestrial networks are insufficient.
| Technology | Role in the new system |
|---|---|
| LTE 4G | Mobile connectivity available across much of the territory |
| 5G | More capacity and lower latency where coverage exists |
| LTE-M | Telemetry and low-power connected devices |
| LEO satellites | Additional link in areas with limited terrestrial coverage |
| 5G NTN | Future integration between mobile and satellite networks |
Low Earth Orbit satellites are much closer to Earth than geostationary systems. This proximity reduces latency and allows for interactive services, while covering zones where installing ground stations isn’t economically feasible.
LEO networks are meant to complement 5G infrastructure and expand service continuity, but their integration faces challenges related to mobility, link management, and coordination with land networks.
On a typical journey, the system could use 5G near a city, maintain multiple 4G connections through an intermediate segment, and switch to satellites crossing an area with weak mobile coverage. The platform must manage these transitions seamlessly, without requiring each passenger device to connect directly to a different network.
Adding LEO satellites doesn’t mean the train will have perfect satellite connectivity throughout the trip. Tunnels block sky views, and deep cuttings, covered stations, and other obstacles can affect the link.
Renfe hasn’t yet announced which satellite constellation it will use, how much capacity they’ll contract, or which mobile providers will participate. These decisions will largely determine the actual improvement perceived by travelers.
What really means 10 Gbps
One of the most striking data points of the project is the expansion of the onboard network to 10 Gbps. This figure doesn’t describe the internet speed each seat will receive.
It refers to the capacity of the local network connecting routers, access points, content servers, cameras, and operating systems within the train. Internet exit points will depend on the combined mobile and satellite links.
| Connection Level | Capacity or Function |
|---|---|
| Train’s internal network | Up to 10 Gbps |
| External connectivity | Depends on LTE, 5G, and satellite links |
| WiFi in each carriage | Shared among connected passengers |
| Individual speed | Variable based on coverage, congestion, and occupancy |
| Operational services | Will have priority over entertainment |
A faster internal network will prevent systems like cameras, passenger information displays, or locally stored content from saturating the onboard infrastructure. It also enables the integration of new sensors and applications without setting up separate networks for each project.
PlayRenfe content can continue to be served from onboard equipment when pre-stored, reducing the need for real-time downloads. However, open browsing, email, video calls, and external platforms will still depend on external connections.
A complex deployment over five years for 183 trains
The project will impact all high-speed series operated by Renfe and extend the solution to over 26 additional branches compared to current setups. The installation won’t be identical across the fleet.
Each train series varies in age, space, electrical supply, wiring, and onboard systems. Renfe will develop a tailored solution and a pilot train for each before rolling out to the rest.
| Project Scope | Reported Data |
|---|---|
| Trains included | 183 |
| Technological investment | €49.7 million |
| Operational costs | €35.7 million |
| Total budget | €85.4 million |
| Deployment duration | Five years |
| Internal network capacity | Up to 10 Gbps |
| External technologies | LTE, 5G, LTE-M, and LEO satellites |
During the transition, existing and new systems will coexist. The operator aims to prevent modernization from interrupting PlayRenfe or existing train communications.
The contract also includes onboard cybersecurity measures. Sharing a physical infrastructure means passenger networks must be segmented and securely managed through authentication and access policies to keep cameras, diagnostics, and operational services separate.
This modernization should enhance passenger connectivity by addressing multiple weak points: adding satellite options, introducing 5G, strengthening the internal network, and centralizing link management.
However, Renfe hasn’t announced minimum guaranteed speeds, availability percentages, or route-specific schedules. Results will depend on contracted capacity and how systems perform when a full train traverses an area with poor coverage.
The most probable improvement won’t be a spectacular maximum speed but a reduction in the frequency and duration of disconnections. For travelers working, on video calls, or using VPNs, stability is often more valuable than peak speeds that fade after minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does WiFi on some AVE trains work poorly?
The train’s speed causes frequent switching between mobile antennas. Rural coverage, tunnels, the metallic body, and the number of passengers sharing the link also influence quality.
Will LEO satellites prevent all disconnections?
No. They will improve coverage in open areas with weak terrestrial signals but cannot maintain connections everywhere, especially inside tunnels or areas without a clear sky view.
Will passengers surf at 10 Gbps?
No. The 10 Gbps refers to the onboard local network. Internet speeds will depend on mobile and satellite links and will be shared among users.
When will the new connectivity be available?
The rollout will happen progressively over five years. Renfe has not yet specified which routes or train series will receive the new platform first.
source: grupo.renfe
